Monets in the Making - 2:30-3:30 p.m. from Jan. 27 through March 2. A program for special-needs kids. With the assistance of a parent or guardian, kids will have the opportunity to express themselves through arts and crafts. Southeast Elementary School, 1005 S.E. Trilein Drive, Ankeny. $25; 965-9650; www.activityreg.com/clientmainpage.asp?cid=ANKENYLS.

HeArt Fest 2008 - 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. Shop dozens of vendors from around the Midwest. Vendors will be located on both upper and lower levels. State Historical Museum staff and volunteers will help children and families make old-fashioned Valentine's cards and other crafts at noon-5 p.m. both days. Valley West Mall, 1551 Valley West Drive, West Des Moines. Free admission, $1.50 donation requested for homemade Valentine's cards; suestookey@att.net or info@valleywestmall.com; 278-6200; www.stookeyshows.com.

Because of an obituary

When Oprah Winfrey calls you on your cell phone, you know it has to be good news.

It was for Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. about three years ago when he was trying to get the talk show mogul to participate in his PBS documentary "African American Lives." Gates' buddy, music legend Quincy Jones, was already on board, having become interested in genealogy after watching "Roots." But Jones was hesitant to ask his friend Winfrey to also allow Gates to research her genes through DNA.

So Jones gave Winfrey's secret mailing address to Gates, and he wrote her a letter. About a week later she called.

"She said, 'I'd be honored to do your series,' " said Gates, who was in Fort Wayne on Thursday evening as part of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne's Omnibus Lecture Series.